Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
134. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs with regard to the proposed ‘Consultative Forum on International Security Policy’, if he will provide the estimated cost of the forum, and a breakdown of these costs, in tabular form; if the forum is included in the supplementary estimates for Vote 28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27555/23]
View answer137. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in relation to the proposed ‘Consultative Forum on International Security Policy’, the estimated cost of the forum; if he will provide a breakdown of these costs, in tabular form; if the forum is included in the supplementary/revised estimates for Vote 28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27588/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 137 together.
In order to build a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State, and the links to, and between, our foreign, security and defence policy, I have convened a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. The Forum will take place in three different locations; on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the University of Galway, and on 26-27 June at Dublin Castle.
The Forum will be open, inclusive, and as the name suggests, consultative. It will involve a wide range of stakeholders, with participation from civilian and military experts and practitioners. Attendance at the Forum will consist of Irish and international participants with expertise and practical experience in the areas to be discussed, as well as members of the public. There will be capacity for up to 1,000 attendees over the four days that the Forum will meet.
Discussions will be live-streamed and there will be an option for online submissions. Full details of the arrangements for registration, live-streaming and the making of submissions is available at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/e2a6b-consultative-forum-on-international-security-policy/.
The Forum will be chaired by Louise Richardson DBE (President of the Carnegie Corporation, formerly Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews), who will produce a report to be delivered following its conclusion.
Costs related to the Forum will be split on an equal basis between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Defence. The contribution by the Department of Foreign Affairs will be made from within existing resources in Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs).
Expenditure related to the Forum will be in line with the Public Spending Code to ensure value-for-money.
At this stage of planning, it is not possible to give a final estimate of the costs. The figures presented in the table below reflect an estimate of costs, and are subject to revision. Every effort will be made to ensure value for money at all points.
|
Description |
Estimate € |
|
Technical / Audio Visual |
35,000 |
|
Venue set-up (3 venues) |
20,000 |
|
Catering |
40,000 |
|
Flights for invited panellists and moderators |
15,000 |
|
Accommodation for invited panellists and moderators |
15,000 |
|
Subsistence and other vouched costs for invited panellists and moderators |
5,000 |
|
Transport |
4,000 |
|
Communications, stationary, printing and branding |
40,000 |
An honorarium will be paid to the Chairperson of the Consultative Forum at a per diem rate sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
